Columbia, SC – On Thursday, October 25, 2007, the South Carolina Department of Mental Health (DMH), held a ceremony honoring its outstanding volunteers from across the state in the central administration building in Columbia.

Nominated by mental health center and hospital employees, these volunteers provide services ranging from donating and sorting clothing to providing discounted dental care. Eileen Davis was selected as Outstanding Individual Volunteer, for her work collecting clothing, household items and books for the clients at Lexington County Community Mental Health Center. Kilbourne Park Baptist Church’s Love in Action Group received the Outstanding Group Award, for making lap robes, pillows, wheelchair storage bags and mending clothing for residents at C. M. Tucker Nursing Care Center; and Piedmont Dental Center was honored with the Distinguished Service Award, for providing discounted dental care to DMH clients statewide.

“Last year, DMH Community Resource Development Programs oversaw 6,380 volunteers, who provided 14,811 hours of service,” said Sue Perry, director of Community Resource Development. “These figures are certainly impressive, but the individuals and groups who donate their time and services provide something that is immeasurable. For many of our clients, simply receiving a small gift during the holidays, taking part in a volunteer coordinated singing group, or getting word that they will be able to get dental help is life changing. That is why this ceremony is so important.”

The Department of Mental Health operates seventeen community mental health centers, four psychiatric hospitals, and three nursing care centers, including two for veterans, and last year served more than 100,000 citizens, including 31,000 children and adolescents.